Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

This may be NOVA's last week in operation. I imagine many other branches will follow suit soon enough and shut down voluntarily.

The only commodity I have to offer to Nova is my labour. If the company managers don't have the decency to provide me with an explanation as to why my cash has been delayed, nor furnish us with some kind of business plan to see us through this mess, then forgive me for not wishing to offer my services to contribute to the whole process. For all I know Sahashi (I prefer monkey chopsticks to bridge, it's catchier) is busy squirrelling away my wages in his Virgin Island bank accounts and sorting out his travel plans to said islands. Perhaps by not going to work I am contributing to the demise of the company, but surely the manager's actions contributed more. I know that my actions caused the closure of my branch and I feel sorry for all my students. But, we have a contract, it's simple- I work, they pay. They don't pay I don't work. You are foolish for expecting people to compromise their integrity for the sake of a company that clearly doesn't give a shit about them. If you want to work, that's fine. Just don't expect me to do so too.

Not sure how many you mean by "most" full-time instructors won't be eligible for UI, and I don't have a clue what the average length of time a Nova employee stays at Nova is, but all those who have worked for 12 months (a month being one in which you worked for at least 11 days), even if it were at another job in Japan within 6 months of starting at Nova, should according to the General Union be eligible for UI as long as Nova goes bankrupt. That's straight from the paperwork the General Union provided from the government. Why so bitter? People can take a break from work can't they? We don't get any personal days in this country so why not take advantage of this opportunity? No reason not to unless you're really strapped for cash yet don't mind waiting 6 to 9 months for the money to come through. And wouldn't you feel guilty bringing a new student into all this????

Saruhashi not paying his employeees is not helping anyone!

Paying emloyees for time worked is not a difficult concept either...

Why do you think sahashi is not paying? Oh thats right he told us in his last fax....insufficient funds...thats reality my friend.

Every intelligent person has come to realize that all he cares about is money!
He is playing his stock market games but he has nothing to say to teachers and students.

Have fun continuing to work for such a pric...your genuine efforts to teach and uphold this company wont change anything now.

You may need to check the definition of 'full-time' to see who qualifies. You'll find info on these blogs if you care to look around.

I think that with the amount of stress and financial difficulties we are all facing due to this Nova bull-shit, that everyone should just calm down and stop these forum 'cat-fights'.
So many of us are visiting this site and others like it, to gather information from a variety of sources, and it's starting to get a little annoying having to wade through all the name calling and bad language to find the stuff worth reading.
Remember that EVERYONE has an opinion, some folk out there are clearly more informed than others but that doesn't mean that the simpletons can't have their say too.
Personally I've decided not to work anymore until I've been paid, but that's MY choice and I wont force it onto anyone else. Also I wont give my mates here who ARE still working a hard time because that's THEIR decision.
We're all on the same team, Nova is the problem here, let's try and remember that!

There are a few people in FP that are understanding and polite, but the majority are incredibly rude and condescending in speech, do not listen, and do not care.

Well the feeling is mutual. How does it feel to be back on level ground? Ooops, you AREN'T on level ground ARE you? Noooo...because instead of honing your teaching skills, you've been jerking people off on the phone for too long.

Now you're in competition with the very same people you SHIT all over. Well done, and fuck you for listening.

As I posted on the End of Nova thread, isn`t it amazing that someone can be so easily confused about tense.

"Nova is reported to have sent a notice on the 19th to the approximately 400 students at the school informing them of the merger."

Remember, this story was originally posted on the 18th.

I am one of those toppatsu wankers. For a month now Ive been going to work and actually paying for the privilege (980 Yen a day on the train) knowing full well no pay check was coming. 3 weeks late with the Japanese staff salaries told me that. I went in out of some sense of decency and an obligation I felt I had to the students. Well I finally had enough and started calling in this week. I called the Japanese staff to apologise for making their job more difficult than it already is and I feel bad for the students, but there is a time when you have to draw the line. Nova "management" has shown barely a fraction of the decency that the teachers and staff show daily. When they can keep their side of the bargain, start speaking some truths and stop messing people around, maybe those other toppatsu wankers will go back. As that is unlikely to ever happen (why change the habit of a lifetime?) this company is finished. Blame other teachers all you like for making your job a little more difficult, but the simple fact is its management that have made the working environment unbearable. I hope this rebellion continues and brings the company to its knees sooner rather than later so we can all start getting U.I. Long live the revolution.

Ha ha, trim the deadwood from the dead tree.

Being paid on time is a) the law and b) a fundamental human right.

Anonymous, explain why Nova not getting instructors' salaries into the bank is any less reprehensible than instructors not getting themselves into work.

Info from the CAAM is to not expect pay tomorrow.
Make it 1000-1 you won't get any takers

If you choose to continue working, even though your employer can no longer afford to pay you, thats your choice - hope its a good one. Slamming the others who choose to not work for an employer who can no longer pay them, doesn't help anyone - students, staff, teachers. Work if you want and don't work if you don't want. Sometimes the answer is that simple. Whether or not this company survives, its going to have a steep climb ahead of it. But before that even starts, consider the character of NOVA in general: What loyality do you have to the company? Any? From my standpoint as a NOVA teacher for 7 months, I personally have none. Why would I? What does NOVA do to promote company support or loyality? Instructors are an expendable and highly renewable resource, we're not hired for our skills from past jobs or education, we're hired because we speak english. Get used to it, the company isn't as concerned with you as you might like to beleive. Although, if you truly beleive in NOVA and want the company to continue, great, good luck to you. I put my two weeks in last thursday and stopped going into work on Sunday after it was confirmed we weren't going to be paid on Monday. I'm sure a lot of you can't stand those of us who call in sick. But that's ok, while you're continuing to go to work, I'm securing new work. Maybe we'll all be paid tomorrow, but keep in mind the Japanese staff still haven't been paid for September. So, if you can find the time, consider the other non-teacher employees for a minute who are going on two months without pay. Regrettably, a lot of them are still going in, but they're Japanese, not foreigners so I guess they see it differently.

Your unemployment benefits will be calculated on your last 6 months income. So if you don't come in for work the reduced pay will hurt you in the end!!

dude, seriously, why should we work if we don't get paid?
this isn't fucking Africa and I am not working for free

Another school in Osaka has closed due to a lack of instructors. Kongo school has the same sign on their door. They claim they'll open again in mid-November. Yeah right, the plane has went into the mountain in fucking flames. I don't mind that Nova is going down, its part of the modern business world, but employees deserve a little bit of honesty, not "we are not paying you in order to make our system better" or "we'll pay you on the 19th, errrr...no make that the 25th".
Just admit your going to die, you infected rabbit.

Tommorow could be the last day.
NOVA is gonna propose its revised plan to the JASDAQ. If it's approved, the company might pay teachers and staff. If it's refused, a very high probability, that's the last day of the company.
As this survival plan looks like a farce, I guess it's not gonna be approved.
Be ready guys and goog luck.
From an ex NOVA teacher during 3 and half years.

Unemployment benefits are calculated on the last 6 months. true.
But, at the Labor Standards Office presentation yesterday it was demonstrated that even if we toppatsu 10 times this month, the drop in Unemployment Insurance is insignifant.

I didnt know Anders posted on this site (albeit anonymously).

Prick.

Thanks playa
We need all the good vibes we can muster... we's be F'cked.
Peace.

"Your unemployment benefits will be calculated on your last 6 months income. So if you don't come in for work the reduced pay will hurt you in the end!!"

but if you don't get paid for your last 7 weeks who loses the most? tough to prove income when you are not getting paid. Consider that before you try to push people back to work.

Well we haven't been paid as of midnight today... I will go in tomorrow - because I want to say goodbye to my friends and give my contact details to all of the students... It's a shame I actually enjoyed working at my branch - there were some lovely people there. Oh well... Good luck everyone!

As it is a concern to many of the magnificent English teacher out there in Japan land, your unemployment insurance will be handed out in a timely manner after the fall of the giant.
Part time or not, six months is the key to your salvation. Instead of just the hear-say of the forums and the whispering and bitching in the classrooms(usually bars), you should take five minutes of you time and look into it for your lazy ass selves.
In three minutes I was able to find most all I needed in a search. So here, be the sloth that has given us our stereotypes and take another freebie...

http://www.jil.go.jp/english/laborinfo/library/documents/llj_law1-rev.pdf

I won't hold your hand, so be prepared to take the second step on your own.

Working still is the best that those of us that have taken up root here in Japan could do to recover our wages and get the support from the government that is promised. By leaving, or walking out, we would by all intent have abandoned our jobs. Read your contract again, 4 days is not a breach of it. Possibly 2 weeks is a breach. If you breach the contract, then you must wait the 6 months to get unemployment. But if you were to hold out till the corp is a corpse then we wait just days to get government compensation (60%). Furthermore, You have a better ranking on recovering lost wages from the bankruptcy (70-80%). Further, further more, if you could prove that not receiving you pay for two weeks is essentially the same as being let go by the company, you are able to claim your "UI" immediately.
The people hanging on and working aren't all tools. Some of us just, you know, um what was that again..... actually think about what the big picture is. But there are those that actually feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it's the 12:10 express.
The people that jumped shit oops I meant ship, are just protecting there asses.
The ones that are "protesting man" are just fed-up, not caring, not paying attention, or are just lazy.
But I have to hand it to the protesters, they are making my life easy. The quicker that you help throttle that train down the track, the sooner we could kill the rabbit and I can get my money.
To bad you've probably violated your contracts with NOVA and forgot to join the Union. And if you had joined, what a tool!

My mum just called the nova office in london and they reported that the deadline for banking was missed today which means in all likelihood no pay tomorrow. Almost 99.9% positive.
She recommended getting a new job, they stopped recruiting 2 months ago and they are all looking for new jobs. They all haven't been paid, they are 3 weeks late with pay so they are obviously just sick of bullshitting so they were very frank on the phone.

the contract is not broken by non attendance. people call in sick, they are within their contractual rights. Read the contract.

Under no circumstances should an individual be expected to show up day after day for a thankless job like one of an instructor at Nova without the possibility of a paycheque. And as an ex-Nova teacher, I would sooner eat live cockroaches than teach a Chibi kids demo in Suminoe Koen than work for that company for free. Which is what would be on the menu if I still worked for them!

Comments which suggest otherwise (i.e. "Nova teachers that take the day off are arswipes, etc") indicate a midguided trust on behalf of the Nova's top management. Can you honestly say that you trust those crooked ass sons of bitches? Why? Can anyone point out a favorable step from the upper management during their tenure at Nova? I challenge that. Those that took the day off likely spent the day protesting or seeking new employ (or at least thinking about it!)

No one who really thinks carefully about it (other Japanese and foreigners alike) would blame the employees. People must eat and pay rent. Nova will no longer support anyone in hopes of fudicary compensation. That rabbit has... sailed.

Work without pay is charity. Work without choice is slavery. Everyone in Japan has a choice.

As a follow on to the above poster mentioning that teachers were still showing up at Nakamozu before it closed, a Tokyo AAM I know had this to say (and told me to feel free to cut and paste):

The temporary closures in Osaka and Tokyo, as far as I know, are mostly about staff numbers. I think the odds are very good that the Osaka and Tokyo branches all share the same Japanese Area Manager. Because so many staff have left, and most of the present staff have less than 6 months experience, it is actually becoming difficult to adequately staff many branches (although I was in a branch the other day with four staff who talked about fashion and cute guys for quite some time). This particular Area Manager, if my guess is right, has been quite upset with the company president for some time. I think this AMG realizes 100% what effect these temporary closings will have, and is probably trying to hasten the demise of the company. There is one temporary closure which I know of which could be related to lack of instructors, I know because I approved paid holidays for all of them. But as there are many other schools where all or nearly all of the instructors are coming to work day by day until the 19th, I don't buy the justification that this has anything to do with instructors. That has never been stated by NOVA in any official way, and I think it's just pure speculation.
It's actually quite amazing how many people are coming to work; most of them seem to know exactly what the latest rumours are from online; it's just that many of them are waiting to hopefully claim UI, or they simply feel trapped or completely lost. Take Monday for example; about 175 calls for East Japan. That's not even 10% of instructors. There's alot of paid and unpaid holidays around, of course, but I am surprised how many people have elected to work.
As for Nara having all schools closed after the 27th, I'm not at all surprised; just wondering why it's not the 20th. I wonder if these temporary closures won't just skyrocket on Saturday. Imagine, the various Area Managers effectively shutting down the company, to force the company president's hand into declaring bankruptcy.
Anyway, food for thought.

Very sesible and honest post!

Sorry.... no edit function and forgot to preview...

...Nakamozu is in an area THAT has schools in both...

go to sleep will ya. don't waste your time. it'll be the same when your awake later in the day

"We're all fucked. It helps to remember that."

-George Carlin

"Can anyone point out a favorable step from the upper management during their tenure at Nova?"

They did give us 2 days notice this time that wages would be late - that's a definite improvement on last month.

Bit sad that that's the only semi-professional thing they've done.

11:30...no pay

Sahashi has lost his fight

Im not working for that liar anymore

Good luck to everyone...as of today make sure you dont leave any valuables at work

Mr liquidator is coming......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOdG5-w1908

Brilliant youtube work.
Well done.
So, what is the deal today?
Has anybody at Nova been paid?
If not, is this THE END?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ummh5g2ppTI&NR=1

http://www.generalunion.org/ is still good.

I like working for NOVA.

Is just that I would like to know if I am working as a volunteer or for money.

Perhaps they've decided Gaba is more interesting now.

Simply, "EXTORTIONATE PRICES!" 2 million yen for lessons!

NO-- PAY--- SO-- YOU--- SAY-----! Where's-- my- paycheck-- this--- month-----? NAH- NAH- NAH--- NAH- NAH- NAh---- DUMB- DUBM- DUMB- DUMB- DUMB-- DUMB--------!

No pay until the 31st of October!!!
Unbelievable!!!!

I recommend all of you check up on just what you are entitled to with unemployment. I see all of you expecting to breeze by on unemployment benefits, and I was one of them until I got the facts straight from Hello Work recently. When you see "---", that is me jumping in to specify details.

***1. The Object of Unemployment Benefits of Employment Insurance***

Unemployment benefits(basic allowance) of the employment insurance are provided to the insured when they become unemployed so that they can concenntrate on finding new jobs and be reemployed as quickly as possible. Therefore, unemployment benefits are not paid to those who are reemployed immediately after their separation from employment or who areunable to work in the immediate future because of an illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, etc.

***2. The Elibible to Unemployment Benefits (Basic Allowantce)***

When a person covered by employment insurance lost employment and satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2), in principle, the unemployment benefit is payable.
**(1)** The person is in "the state of unemployment", which means that positive efforts of the person as well as the Public Employment Security Office (hereinafter to be referred to as "the PESO") have not been able to find a job even though the person reported to the PESO, applied for employment, and has a positive will to get employment and the ability to take up a job at any time.
**(2)** In two years preceding the day of his or her becoming unemployed, months of which has more than 11 days of the bases of wage payment aggregate twelve minimum and the person was covered by the employment insurance for at least twelve full months.
Nevertheless, in the case of specifically qualified beneficiaries (who are forced to leave their jobs due to bankruptcy, discharge, etc.), in a year preceding the day of his or her becoming unemployed, months each of which has more than 11 days as the bases of wage payment aggregate six minimum and the person was covered by the employment insurance for at leaset six full months.

----So, basically if you didn't pay into unemployment insurance for the 6 months, you can't collect unemployment insurance at all even if the company goes under. If you have been working for 12 months and have paid unemployment insurance for all twelve months, you can quit and be eligible for unemployment benefits.----

***Procedure for Receiving Benefits and Related Matters***

If you lose employment, apply for a job promptly atthe PESO having jurisdiction over your domicile or dwelling place. At that time, you should bring the following:
**(1)** Separation notice for the insured of employment insurance:
This is an important document for deciding on the eligibility for the unemployment benefit. Make sure that the paper is filled in correctly. The Separation Notice comprises a set of Separation Notice 1 and Separation Notice 2.

**(2)** The certificate of the employment insurance. ----(for proof that you have been paying employment insurance)----

**(3)** A document certifying your domicile or dwelling place and age:
A document issued by a government office, such as your driver's license, certificate of alien registration, or the like.

**(4)** Your recent photographs:
Two copies (3CM x 2.5CM, a photo from the waist up with a full face).

**(5)** Ordinary (savings) bank account book in the name of the person applying for benefit. Internet bank and foreign financial institution accounts are not acceptable.
-----This means you can't leave the country and still rake in unemployment.----

***4. Amount of Basic Allowance and Period ***IMPORTANT READ THIS!!!******

The unemployment benefit payable to you is called "basic allowance".
The daily amount of represents about 50 to 80% (45 to 80% for persons between 60 and 64 years of age) of a daily amount of wages in six months preceding the day of separation from employment, but is limited to 7,775 yen maximum (as of August 1, 2007).

------Let me jump in real quickly -- This means that the maximum unemployment we can get for one day is 7775 yen! That's 155,500 yen per month of working 5 days per week. The minimum (which is what we will get as Nova employees, since so many of us are going to request this) is 50% of your normal paycheck. I work all mornings, so my paycheck is approximately 240,000 yen per month before taxes -- that's a mere 120,000 yen per month!!! I don't know about you guys, but my rent is over 70,000 yen per month, I don't know if I can survive bills and all with that amount of money. Unless I'm misunderstanding this... And they will pay us for a full 90 days as apposed to just the working days, which then would change the factors to: 233,250 yen per month maximum, and for my paycheck as an example at 50% of the daily wage, which would amount to 180,000 yen at 50% of my average daily wage every day for 30 days. It's awfully vague whether it literally means *EVERY* day, or only business days we will receive these benefits for however many days. I assume the latter.

---Okay I'm taking over from here ---

Next it gives a table saying:

Younger than 30 who have been employed for:

1. *less than one year* 90 days
2. *1-5 years* get 90 days
3. *6-10 years* get 120 days
4. *10-20 years* get 180 days
5. *20 years and over* -nothing-

Ages 30-34:

1. *less than one year* 90 days
2. *1-5 years* get 90 days
3. *6-10 years* get 180 days
4. *10-20 years* get 210 days
5. *20 years and over* 240 days

Ages 35-44

1. *less than one year* 90 days
2. *1-5 years* get 90 days
3. *6-10 years* get 180 days
4. *10-20 years* get 240 days
5. *20 years and over* 270 days

Ages 45-59

1. *less than one year* 90 days
2. *1-5 years* get 180 days
3. *6-10 years* get 240 days
4. *10-20 years* get 270 days
5. *20 years and over* 330 days

Ages 60-64

1. *less than one year* 90 days
2. *1-5 years* get 150 days
3. *6-10 years* get 180 days
4. *10-20 years* get 210 days
5. *20 years and over* 240 days

Alright. That's enough out of me. Look at these details, make your decisions wisely based on them.

No surprise, no pay today. Anyone still going to work or who thinks that NOVA will somehow survive is a fucking idiot. Do anything, but do something other than keep turning up to work !! You should have handed out your business cards to students months ago. Good luck to all the regular instructors and with whatever you decide to do.

Sorry but most Trainers and above were assholes so fuck you. Pay backs a bitch - good luck finding a job with 10 years of being a fascist bitch on your resume. And the biggest fuck you of all to Lord Fleming, Anders, Saruhashi, Edo Fackler, and the jerks at foreign personnel.

Oh yeah and fuck you Derek Bottomley, my trainer when I first started at NOVA. After training with him I knew NOVA was fucked.

Yep I'm still bitter from my time at NOVA.

I actually read it the other way. I think it is 90 days of coverage. 90 paid days either way you look at it.

Yes there is no transportation allowance, and you have to WORK for a pay rise. But the schedule is flexible, you can choose when you work, gaba offers incentives and bonuses. How bout nova?